City Life – Jane Austen’s Guide to Delhi

The Bollywood film Aisha, an adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, will be released in August, 2010. It is set in Delhi. Looking forward to seeing the movie, The Delhi Walla discovers that the 18th-century English novelist had hinted at various places of Delhi in her writings. Don’t believe me? Take a look at excerpts from her six drawing-room novels:

“I do not want people to be agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them.”Jane Austen in a Blueline bus

“To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”Jane Austen in Lodhi Garden

“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.“Jane Austen in Khan Market

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.”Jane Austen at F Bar & Lounge, Ashoka Hotel

“The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.”Jane Austen in Karol Bagh

“Oh! Do not attack me with your watch. A watch is always too fast or too slow. I cannot be dictated to by a watch.”Jane Austen at New Delhi Railway Station

“Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love.”Jane Austen at India Habitat Centre

“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?”Jane Austen in Mayur Vihar, Phase III

“I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.“Jane Austen in GB Road

“Everybody likes to go their own way — to choose their own time and manner of devotion.”Jane Austen in Saibaba Mandir on a Thursday evening

“Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings.”Jane Austen in Delhi Metro

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” Jane Austen in Select Citywalk mall

“We do not look in our great cities for our best morality.” Jane Austen in the Parliament House